On September 18, China’s first international-standard wilderness emergency medical competition—MedWAR (Medical Wilderness Adventure Race)—concluded successfully in Yangshuo, an outdoor paradise known as “more beautiful than Guilin.” A total of eight teams from across the country took on the challenge: Shenzhen Medical Support Team, Shenzhen Remote Rescue Team, Lingnan Medical Support Team, Guangzhou Medical Support Team, Beijing Sport University Emergency Team, Wuxi Public Welfare Rescue Team, Shanghai OSMART Medical Support Team, and Shantou University Snow Leopard Team. After two preliminary rounds and two final rounds, the Shenzhen Medical Support Team emerged as the champion of the first MedWAR. The Shenzhen Remote Rescue Team and the “dark horse” Shantou University Snow Leopard Team won the second and third places, respectively!
Introduced to China by the Wilderness Medical Associates International (WMAI) from North America, MedWAR is a top-tier industry competition that tests participants’ comprehensive skills—including wilderness first aid, rescue, outdoor survival, and team strategy—through a series of carefully designed simulated emergency scenarios. The competition featured two difficulty levels: the easier version involved more rescuers, longer time limits, abundant equipment, less severe injuries, but a lower starting score; the harder version had fewer rescuers, stricter time limits, limited equipment, more complex injuries, but a higher starting score. The preliminary round scenarios included a hiking fall and a rock climbing accident, with injury types such as general trauma, head injuries, spinal injuries, long bone fractures, hypovolemic shock, and amputations. Each team competed in two rounds. The final round scenarios were set in a remote mountain village five days after an earthquake and a lightning strike by a river. Teams had to draw another team in advance to form a partnership and compete in two rounds. In addition to the injuries from the preliminary round, the final scenarios introduced more complex conditions such as shoulder dislocations, burns, pelvic fractures, puncture wounds, drowning, asthma, and allergic reactions. Beyond assessing and treating injuries, the competition also tested outdoor survival skills—such as building temporary shelters in the “earthquake zone,” starting a fire outdoors to boil water (using matches), crafting a raft from a limited number of tires and bamboo poles for a solo water rescue. The most challenging part was the collaboration between two unfamiliar teams with varying skill levels. The composed and capable performance of all teams in the face of these difficulties earned them applause from the audience.
A Review of the Teams’ Outstanding Performances
The two-day MedWAR competition was intense and content-rich, allowing every participant and spectator to fully experience the charm of wilderness medicine. Through this event, exchanges and learning among different rescue organizations greatly benefited the participants—not only consolidating their own skills and knowledge, but also witnessing the collaborative abilities of various teams. The two days were filled with valuable takeaways. Especially moving were the personal charisma and dedication shown by the participants and volunteers, which left a deep impression on everyone present. In the end, the final results became less important.
Dedicated Volunteers
MedWAR Behind-the-Scenes Highlights!
Spotlight on the Captains of the 8 Participating Teams!
The Other Side of the WMAI’s First MedWAR Professional Judges
“The Emotions Behind the ‘Injured’ and ‘Amputated’”
Let’s Look Forward to the Next MedWAR Together!
――FACE ANY CHALLENGE, ANYWHERE
The first WMAI MedWAR was sponsored and supported by the following organizations/brands:
